Charges dropped against Leafs’ waffle thrower

The disgruntled hockey fan who gained infamy in December after throwing a box of frozen waffles onto the ice during a Leafs game will see the criminal charges against him dropped following a mere five hours of community service. Jared Lindzon spoke to the breakfast pastry thrower, 31-year-old stonemason Joe Robb, to discuss the case, the Maple Leafs organization, and his love/hate relationship with his hometown hockey team.

Q What happened in court Thursday?A “Basically they were doing the mischief charges and when I got to court … they wanted me to sign on to a peace bond and accept their charges and then they would drop the charges, but I would have to do over 20 or 30 hours of community service plus a six-month ban or whatever they wanted to lay on me, and I basically refused. So we ended up fighting it and then they realized that we weren’t going to take what they wanted to give us, and they came back with dropping everything and said if I did five hours of community service everything would be dropped.”

Q Have you thought about where you’re going to complete the community service?A “I’m not sure. I just found out today so I’m going to look around Oakville. There’s a few like old pensioners homes, stuff like that, maybe look into there. There’s also a sports place right by my house so maybe I can go coach some kids for a couple hours there.”

Q How long have you been a Leafs fan?A “Since I can remember man, like same with my dad, when I was young and he used to put me to bed second period. It’s in my blood I guess. It’s hard not to watch them. It’s something to do. It’s like a Saturday night tradition. And also during the week.”

Q What is your opinion of Leafs fans in general?A “I think most of the fans that are there [are] just like me. Other than the suits. Man I hate those guys. They just take up our time, take up everything, play on their phones halfway through all the game pretty much, and don’t even bother showing up to half the period. I mean like, what does that say? How do you watch a hockey team? Like they don’t care.”

Q Are you still banned from the Air Canada Centre?A “At the moment I have a trespassing ticket against me. So like I can’t go on their property. My lawyer thinks that would be ridiculous if they did charge me with that, but I’m going to give them a call and see if I can work something out.”

Q On the night of the incident, were you expressing anger towards the players themselves or against the Leafs organization as a whole?A “The organization. The players I don’t blame because they can only do what their ability is, but who puts the players there? The whole organization is a joke, I think. I stand with [the players] but I stand against the organization.”

Q Do you think Leafs fans have a right to complain?A “I think with the Leaf fans going to the games, it’s like, why do people complain? I did something at least. You know? Why do they have to complain? Like if you’re going to complain, do something about it. Don’t start complaining and not do something. It’s just that little hold they have on us. I don’t know. I actually did something. Now let’s see if someone else wants to step up.”